BeFIT Resources

5 Tips to Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

1. Pick Realistic Goals

One of the biggest problems in keeping a resolution is that we simply aim too high. Resolving to look more like a super model is an unrealistic resolution for anyone. Resolving to lose a few pounds or cut back on sweets are more realistic goals.

2. Define Those Goals

Saying you’ll lose weight, change your job, or go back to school isn’t good enough. You need to write down how specifically you are going to move toward those goals.

3. Set a Schedule

No goal is attainable without deciding when you’re going to make the small changes needed to reach that goal. If you set no schedule for yourself, or — as most people do — set an unrealistic schedule, you are setting yourself up to fail. The schedule should be written down, just like your goal and the steps you will take to reach each goal. Losing a few pounds over a few months is realistic; losing a few pounds in a few days is not.

4. Don’t Be Upset by Setbacks

The old adage in therapy is two steps forward, one step back. The same could be said for New Year’s Resolutions, which can often be the most difficult to keep. It’s a part of the process and means nothing more than a temporary setback. Putting such temporary setbacks into their proper perspective can help you move beyond them and put them behind you.

5. Enlist Additional Help or Support

Whether it’s in the form of a professional, a family member, a friend, or some type of formal support group, consider enlisting someone’s help. This shows that you are not only serious about keeping the resolution, but that you realize your own strengths and limitations.